SAFFORD — Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission were in Safford last Friday to get the public’s input on what congressional and legislative districts should look like over the next decade.
What they heard was a mixed message.
While all agreed they prefer the districts should remain rural in nature — not wanting to be placed in with Tucson, which could overwhelm the smaller number of Graham and Greenlee voters — they split on how the legislative district should be designed.
About half wanted things to remain the same, with Graham and Greenlee counties joined by Cochise County to form the legislative district.
However, others pointed to the lack of competitiveness in the district, with Republicans having a more than 1.5-times advantage in the number of registered voters than Democrats. Therefore, they suggested a more equitable district might be placing Graham and Greenlee with portions of Gila, Apache and/or Navajo counties.
While the U.S. Census Bureau website shows that state population data won’t be released until December, and county population data won’t be released until March 2022, Commission Chair Erika Neuberg said the commission can still meet its schedule.
“My understanding is that the data we receive on Aug. 12, that mapping consultants will have the ability to interpret that data in a way that’s meaningful for us,” Neuberg said.
In July, the commission voted to have grid maps — which only use population estimates, not party — ready by Sept. 14. After 23 days of public comment, first drafts of maps will be issued Oct. 30 and, after another 30 days of public comment, final maps will be ready for approval by Dec. 22.
